🪁 Level 1 Japanese Reader Class Set for Classroom Use

This Japanese Reader Class Set is perfect for absolute beginners taking their first steps in reading hiragana and simple Japanese expressions.

Through authentic photographs of traditional handmade Japanese kites featuring the twelve zodiac animals, students practise reading simple Japanese words and short, repetitive phrases while discovering an important part of Japanese culture.

Teachers who purchase this Japanese Reader Class Set & Online Flipbook Pack can choose the number of printed readers they need and receive password-protected access to the matching online flipbook.

As a result, teachers can display the reader on an interactive whiteboard, projector, or classroom screen while students follow along in their own books. This makes whole-class teaching, guided reading, pair work, and independent learning simple and engaging.

🔎 Want to learn more about the individual reader?

Explore the Level 1 Japanese Reader – Kites (たこ) for detailed language features, cultural content, and book details.

🪁 Discover Traditional Japanese Kites and Zodiac Animals

Take students on a colorful journey through Japan’s traditional kite-making culture!

Kites (たこ) introduce the twelve Japanese zodiac animals through beautiful handmade kites created by Japanese kite craftsman Yoshio Sakazawa from Utsunomiya City, Japan.

Each page features authentic photographs and simple Japanese expressions, allowing even absolute beginners to connect written Japanese with meaning.

For example:

• ねずみさん、かわいい！
• うしさん、かわいい！
• うまさん、かわいい！

Through this predictable reading pattern, students recognize familiar hiragana, learn animal vocabulary, and experience the satisfaction of reading Japanese independently.

At the same time, they discover the beauty of traditional Japanese kites and learn about the twelve animals of the Japanese zodiac.

By combining authentic photographs, meaningful repetition, and carefully leveled Japanese, this reader provides an enjoyable introduction to Japanese language and culture.

🎯 What Students Will Learn with This Japanese Reader Class Set

Students will practise:

• Reading simple Japanese words and short phrases in hiragana
• Recognising the twelve Japanese zodiac animals
• Developing beginner Japanese animal vocabulary
• Reading the repeated expression 「～さん、かわいい！」
• Recognising 「さん」 after animal names
• Building familiarity with Japanese sounds and hiragana characters
• Using authentic photographs and visual clues to understand meaning
• Identifying repeated patterns in Japanese words and phrases
• Building reading fluency and confidence through meaningful repetition
• Discovering traditional Japanese kites and the Japanese zodiac

👩‍🏫 Why Teachers Choose This Japanese Reader Class Set

Teachers choose this Japanese Reader Class Set because it combines simple, repetitive Japanese, authentic photographs, and engaging cultural content that beginners can understand and enjoy.

• Printed readers for every student, encouraging active participation
• Password-protected online flipbook for classroom display
• Ideal for interactive whiteboards, projectors, and classroom screens
• Simple hiragana text suitable for absolute beginners
• Authentic photographs provide strong visual support for comprehension
• Repeated expressions help students recognize Japanese sentence patterns
• Encourages speaking, observation, and classroom discussion
• Supports whole-class, guided, pair, small-group, and independent reading
• Introduces the twelve zodiac animals and traditional Japanese kite-making culture
• Helps students experience success reading Japanese independently

📚 Japanese Reader Class Set Options

Choose from:

• 10 printed readers
• 15 printed readers
• 20 printed readers
• 25 printed readers

Each Japanese Reader Class Set includes password-protected access to the matching online flipbook.

📖 Japanese Reader Class Set Details

Reading Level: Level 1
Recommended for: Absolute beginners and beginning hiragana readers
JLPT Guide: Foundational reading before JLPT N5
Text Type: Information report with repetitive descriptive expressions
Language Focus: Hiragana, animal vocabulary, repetition, 「～さん、かわいい！」 and simple greetings
Vocabulary Theme: Japanese zodiac animals and traditional kites
Cultural Theme: Traditional Japanese kite-making and the twelve Japanese zodiac animals
Script: Hiragana
Includes: Password-protected Online Flipbook access

✅ Perfect For

• Absolute beginner Japanese learners
• Primary and elementary school Japanese programs
• Students beginning to recognize and read hiragana
• Introducing Japanese animal vocabulary
• Developing early Japanese reading fluency
• Japanese zodiac and traditional culture units
• Guided reading
• Whole-class teaching
• Pair work
• Independent reading
• Extensive Reading (Tadoku)
• Homework and classroom libraries

📚 Teaching & Learning Resources for This Japanese Reader Class Set

🚧 Coming Soon

We’re currently preparing free teaching and learning resources for this reader. Once available, they can be accessed through our Resource Library.

Resources in preparation:

• 🎧 Audio recordings narrated by Mariko Sensei
• 📖 English translation
• 💻 Quizlet vocabulary activities

These resources will be available soon to support classroom teaching, guided reading, and independent learning.

💜 Why Choose Mariko Sensei’s Japanbooks?

Every Japanese Reader is carefully designed by Mariko Sensei, an experienced Australian Japanese teacher with over 40 years of teaching experience.

Our Japanese graded readers combine carefully leveled language, learner-friendly layouts, authentic photographs, and Extensive Reading (Tadoku) principles to help learners build reading confidence while discovering Japanese language and culture.

Unlike traditional textbooks, our readers encourage students to enjoy reading naturally through meaningful repetition, visual support, and authentic cultural experiences.

Kites (たこ) is particularly special because it features handmade traditional Japanese kites created by Yoshio Sakazawa from Utsunomiya City, Japan.

For many years, Yoshio shared his knowledge of kite-making and kite flying with children through schools and local kite clubs, helping preserve this traditional Japanese craft.

Through his beautiful kites and simple Japanese expressions, beginning learners can experience the joy of reading independently while discovering the creativity and beauty of Japanese culture.

📖 Continue Reading at Level 1

Encourage students to build their reading confidence with other beginner Japanese Readers before moving on to more challenging texts.

• ❓ What Is It? (これ なに？) – Level 1 — Practise a simple Japanese question through a fun guessing activity featuring beautiful traditional Japanese sweets.
• 🎮 Shiritori (しりとり – Japanese Word Game) – Level 1 — Build hiragana recognition and vocabulary through a traditional Japanese word-chain game.
• 🍫 Japanese Snacks (にほんのおかし) – Level 2 Challenge — Take the next step with simple descriptions, colors, shapes, and a fun Japanese snack guessing quiz.

📚 Explore More Japanese Reader Packs

Continue your Japanese reading journey with our carefully graded Japanese Reader Packs.

• 🌱 Beginner Hiragana Readers Starter Pack (Levels 1–3) — Build confidence from simple hiragana words and phrases to connected Japanese sentences and stories.
• 🏫 Primary & Elementary School Japanese Readers Pack (Levels 1–4) — Develop reading fluency through engaging Japanese readers, authentic photographs, and cultural topics.
• 📚 All Japanese Readers Pack (Levels 1–9) — Explore the complete collection, from beginner hiragana reading to advanced Japanese texts.

📌 Important Information

This Class Set is designed for use by one school or educational organization.

Online flipbook access is password-protected and supplied with the purchase of an eligible Class Set. Access details should not be shared publicly or distributed outside the purchasing organization.

Copyright © Mariko Earle. All rights reserved.

Please do not copy, reproduce, distribute, or share the content of these books or online flipbooks without permission from the copyright holder.